IBM to lead $US4.4 billion chip investment in New York

Five chipmakers, including Intel, IBM, Samsung Electronics, GlobalFoundries and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. have committed investment of $US4.4 billion in research and development in the state of New York over the next five years, to develop new 450-millimeter chip wafer technology, according to the state's governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

New York secured the investment in competition with other locations worldwide, Cuomo said in a speech that was also webcast.

IBM has committed $US3.6 billion of the total investment to work on next generations of computer chips, including those using 22-nanometers and 14-nanometers process technology, said John Kelly, senior vice president and director of IBM Research.

Since 2000, IBM has invested more than $US10 billion in New York state, its largest investment anywhere in the world, Kelly said.

The transition from 300mm to 450mm wafers will require unprecedented industry-wide collaboration, and the New York project is critical for the new consortium, called Global 450, said Brian Krzanich, senior vice president and general manager of manufacturing and supply chain at Intel.

Intel is already designing and building its future factories to be 450mm capable, and is counting on the results of the research and development in New York in the second half of the decade to go into production in those factories.

Intel has also agreed to establish its 450mm East Coast Headquarters to support the overall project management in Albany.

The investment will retain and create 6900 jobs in upstate New York, including 2500 new technology roles, according to a statement issued by the governor's press office.

No private company will receive any state funds as part of the agreement. To support the project, New York state will invest $400 million in the State University of New York (SUNY) College for Nanoscale and Science Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, including $100 million for energy efficiency and low-cost energy allowances.

The state investment in CNSE will be made over a five-year period. "The state doesn't fund business. The state funds SUNY if and only if the jobs are actually being created," Cuomo said.

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